Automatic filling supply mechanism



Aug. 17, 1965 H. w. THATCHER AUTOMATIC FILLING SUPPLY MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 11.

Filed March 14, 1963 A TTORNE Y Aug. 17, 1965 H. w. THATcHl-:R 3,200,849

AUTOMATIC FILLING SUPPLY MECHANISM Filed March 14, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. E Z HARRY WILLIAM THATCHER.

A TTORNE Y Aug. 17, 1965 H. w. THATCHER AUTOMATIC FILLING SUPPLY MECHANISM '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 14, 1965 H\l\/'EI\TOR` HARRY WILLIAM THAT-CHER B Maak/Q ma.

A TTORNE Y Aug. 17, 1965 H. w. THATCHER AUTOMATIC FILLING SUPPLY MECHANISM '7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed March 14, 1963 INVENTOR. HARRY WILLIAVI THATCHEE.

B VM @f2/Wo@ A TTORNE Y Aug- 17, 1965 l H. w. THATCHER 3,200,849

AUTOMATIC FILLING SUPPLY MECHANISM Filed March 14, 1963 '7 Sheets-Sheet 5 44 u 45 INVENTOR.

HARRY WILLIAM THATCHER.

A TTORNE Y Aug. 17, 1965 H. w. THATCHER AUTOMATIC FILLING SUPPLY MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed March 14, 1963 m, T. N E V m HARRY WILLIAM THHTCHER.

A TTORNE Y Aug. 17, 1965 H. w. THATCHER AUTOMATIC FILLING SUPPLY MECHANISM 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March 14, 1963 INVENTOR. HARRY WILLIAM THATCHER.

A TTORNE Y United States Patent O 3 200 849 AUToMArre FILLIG SUPPLY MECHANISM Harry William Thatcher, Meudon, Mass., assignor to Draper Corporation, Hopedale, Mass., a corporation of Maine Filed Mar. 14, 1963, Ser. No. 265,092 1l Claims. (Cl. 139-245) This invention pertains to looms for Weaving and, more particularly, to an improved filling container yfor presenting full filling packages to the bobbin feeding means and improved means for indexing an empty or a nonfeeding container prior to the exhaustion of bobbins in the feeding means.

It is .the general object of the invention to devise means to present automatically to the loom feeding battery a comparatively large quantity of filling bobbins as they are received directly from the spinning operation.

It -is a further object to `simplify the bobbin container by elimination of internal partitions and to devise a hopper type container whereby bobbins may be readily inserted Iby hand or with much less required mechanism when inserted by machine.

It is a further object of the invention to increase .the bobbin capacity of the container to a large extent through the elimination of internal partiti-ons.

Another object is to devise a container with a single ejection opening for discharging full bobbins to reduce the required indexing mechanism to one station.

A further object is to provide a device to release a clogged -container when bobbins become vbridged or arched over the discharge opening, which device will be lineffectual Within the container when bridges are not formed.

A more specific object of the invention is to devise counting means whereby a clogged or empty container will .be replaced in position by a full container upon receipt of ya plurality of signals that the bobbins remaining in the bobbin feeding means have become depleted lbeyond a predetermined point.

Another object of the invention is that of controlling the bridge breaking means and the counting means thr-ough the loom extractor arm to initiate motion to these devices only at each bobbin transfer.

These and other objects of the invention will become apparent as further details are disclosed.

A great many -automatic bobbin changing looms presently in use employ a rotary or other type of battery for holding and positioning filled bobbins for individual transfer to the weaving shuttle without the necessity of stopping the loom. Such batteries require hand loading, which in itself is time consuming, and also must have the end of fill-ing yarn found and attached t-o a stationary thread holder 'before a successful transfer can be made.

Attempts have been made to devise means to locate and control the loose end of filling yarn on an ingoing bobbin and one successful method involves the winding of a number of turns of yarn at the tip of the filling bobbin forming a tip bunch. ln United States P-atent No. 2,566,880 disclosure is made of an instrumentality for removing, holding and discarding a tip bunch of yarn from a filling bobbin. Tofurnish bobbins to the shuttle feed means in quantity, filled containers have been brought to the looms and placed on inclined tracks for automatic replenishment.

The present invention discloses novelty in the bobbin ice container as well as novel means for indexing an empty or clogged container out of position in favor of a full supply. The invention is an improvement over the construction in the above-mentioned patent and United States Patent No. 2,778,382 wherein a filling replenishing mechanism is disclosed with -a bobbin magazine adapted to slide down an inclined track to be positioned by .stops directly above a feed means.

The improved container is of a hopper type without internal partitions so .that three or more bobbins at `a time may be inserted by hand. Where filling bobbins are taken directly from the spinning frame to the loom for weaving, it is desirable to doff the full bobbins into the same container in which they will be placed upon the loom. To load such a container, economically, it must be of a hopper type without restricting partitions.

A single opening in the floor of t-he forward end of the hopper will release the vbobbins singly to a feeding chute below. A bridge breaking means, to be explained fully herefbelow, has been devised to separate a key bob-bin when a bridge or arch develops within the hopper.

When the supply of bobbins is reduced to a certain level in the feed chute, either due to an empty hopper or a hopper clogged by a bridge formed of bobbins, a counting device will allow the bridge breaking means three attempts to release the clogged bobbins before indexing the hopper out of position. A full hopper is then free to slide downwardly on the track to be positioned directly over the feed chute, as is explained more fully in the above cited patents.

A full or filled bobbin `as used in this specification refers to a looni bobbin on which yarn for weaving has been wound in a filling wind or otherwise and has in addition a number of turns of yarn wound on the tip end of the bobbin to form a small bunch separated from the main body of yarn.

An empty bobbin is one from which the yarn has been substantially completely withdrawn by its having been passed to and fro with the shuttle through the warp shed in the usual weaving process.

The invention will be described in greater detail -by reference to a specific embodiment thereof as shown in the accompanying figures of drawing, wherein:

FIG. l is a side elevation of the invention applied to a loom;

FIG. 2 is a front elevation of a bobbin hopper;

FlG. 3 is a section at line 3 3 in FIG. 2';

FlG 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. l showing only the bridge breaker drive mechanism;

yFIG. 5 is a View of the bridge breaker lifter and associated linkage in section taken at line 5 5 in FIG. 6;

IFIG. 5A is a rear elevation of FIG. 5;

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the replenishing side of the loo-m showing the opening to the bobbin feeding means with the bridge -breaker lifter and the bobbin indicator;

FIG. 6A is a `side elevation of the bobbin hopper stop latch as seen in t-he direction of line (5A- 6A in FIG. 6;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the bridge breaker slide device showing a finger and spacers;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation in detail of the stop release mechanism and the counter reset means in the inoperative position;

fFlG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 with the stop release mechanism in position to count bobbin transfers and the counting rack shown in the raised and lowered positions;

. b FIG. r is an exploded perspective view of the parts as shown in FIG. 9 with a portion of the case broken away to disclose the interior; p

FIG. 1l is a perspective view of the bridge breaker lifter and its oscillating shaft; and

FIG. 12 is a detail of the spring biased stop pawl in a portion of counter casing.

Now referring to FIG. 1, the right-hand side of a loom is shown in part to disclose the replenishing mechanism wherein lled bobbins are contained to be later Vtransferred automatically to the shuttle. A pair of forwardly inclined tracks 15 supports a bobbin container in the -form of a hopper general-ly designated 16. Filled -bobbin hoppers are placed upon the track at its highest point near the rear of the loom, and through gravity and the normal loom vibration will slide forward along the track to the bobbin discharge position directly over a bobbin feeding means 17. The hopper is adapted to slide away from the feeding means when empty and pass rearwardly of the loom to a removal point. As this method for handling bobbin containers is well known and is cle-arly disclosed in United States Patent No. 2,778,382, it is not felt to be necessary to show the return track or to explain the bobbin feeding means.

Hopper 16 (FIGS. 2 and 3) is a box-shaped container with an unobstructed interior and comprises two side wall members 18 and 19, a front end wall member 20, a back end wall (not shown) and a iloor or under surface mem- Vber 21 which declines toward the front wall suiciently to cause bobbins to roll forward. The under surface 21 interconnects both side Wall members and extends from the back wall forward to a point spaced apart from the front wall to form a bobbin ejecting opening 22'. rThe width of the opening 22 is such as to allow only one lled bobbin to pass at one time and the inside width of the hopper 16 should just exceed the bobbin length to allow a loose lit but very little lateral movement.

Surrounding the hopper 16 at the top and bottom eX- ternally are reinforcing channel members 23 and 24. The hopper is open at the top but a cover could be readily applied should it be desirable to keep out lint or dirt.

Bobbins are held in the hopper 16 by a transverse rod resting in the'lower end of an inclined slot 26 in the lower channel 24 and a corresponding slot (not shown) on the opposing side. The rod 25, while in this lower position, extends generally through the center of the opening 22 lengthwise and electively restrains bobbins from passing through. When the rod 25 is moved to the upper end of the slot 26, it is under the edge of the under surface 21 and bobbins are free to drop through (FIGS. 1 and 3). The transverse rod 25 is a releasable means for restraining the bobbins in the hopper 16 until needed, and the mechanism for releasing the bobbins will be further explained herebelow.

Through the front wall 2t) there is an opening 27 which extends from just above the lower edge of the front wall upward about one-third of its height. Fixed to the outer face of front wall 20 is a U-shaped slide guide 28 which encloses and extends above the opening 27 (FIGS. 2 and 3).

A bridge breaking slidemechanism broadly designated 29 has overall outside dimensions to allow a loose sliding it in the slide guide 2S. Slide mechanism 29 includes a molded slide 30 of a material such as Delrin and has a base portion in the form of two oval lengthwise grooves 31 and 32. Above the base portion in step formation are three circular bearings 33 which are enclosed for more than 180 (FIG. 7). Extending in a tangent from each bearing 33 in an upward direction is an angular ledge 34. Above the third circular bearing 33 the slide 30 extends to a horizontal top 35 which looselyrlls the channel between the front wall 2@ and the slide guide 23.

Also included in the slide mechanism 29 are three bridge breaker fingers 36 of a flat metal stock which have one long edge rolled to a circle 37 upon one side of the central plane of the finger 36. The circle edge 37 of finger 36 is adapted to slide endwise into the circular bearing 33 and will be removable axially but not radially. When inserted into bearing 33, the linger is free to pivot in an arc between the ledge 34 and the almost vertical portion of molded slide 30. When the finger 36 is resting against the ledge 34, it will be extending into the hopper 16 (FIG. l). When in the nearly vertical position, the finger 36 is completely outside of the hopper 16 in the contines of the guide 28.

When the lingers 36 are assembled into the bearings 33, they are loosely held and may pivot freely and also would move axially if not restrained. To discourage such movement and to centrally locate the lingers 36 in relation to the bearings 33, spacers 38 are inserted into both ends of each bearing 33 to restrict axial movement.

hese spacers are short pieces of round stock, which may also be of Delrin to reduce the element of friction. (See FIG. 7.) The slide mechanism 29 when inserted into the guide 23 will be slidable vertically by a lifter means to be later explained. The breaker finge-rs 36 will, of their own weight, rest upon the ledges 34 and extend into the hopper 16 unless pressed toward avertical position by the weight of bobbins in the hopper. When a hopper is being filled, the bobbins will roll toward the front wall 2@ on the sloping iloor 21 and in so doing will press ,against and raise the lingers 36 to their almost vertical position. v

Bridge breaker lifter In order to raise the bridge breaker slide mechanism 29 at each transfer of `a bobbin to the shuttle and to assure a constant supply of bobbins in the feeding means 17, an intermittently reciprocating lifter means has been devised generally designated 39 (FIG. 4). Power for the lifter means is received from the extractor arm 4t) which is adapted to pivot upon point 40a sharply to the right as .shown by the arrows in FIGS. 4 and 6 when drawn by a lever 41 through connecting linkage 42 just prior to a bobbin transfer. The lever 41 is actuated by the known bobbin transfer signalling mechanism of the loom and is not shown.

Fastened to the top of one arm 43 of extractor 40 by a screw and nut 44 a linkage arm '45 is connected to an L-shaped driving lever 46 at its lower horizontal arm 46a. Lever 46 is pivotally fastened to a stationary portion of the bobbin feeding means 17 by a bolt 47. Attached to the lower end of the lever 46 a driving spring assembly 48 acts as a safeguard in the event a bobbin hopper 16 should be out of position when the lifter means is actuated.

The spring assembly 48 comprises a sleeve 49 which encloses a compression spring 5) through which is inserted a rod 51 that extends out of the sleeve 49 at the lower end through a threaded plug 52 to be fastened to the lever 46 loosely as with a pin and cotter pin at 53. VCompression is placed upon the spring through the rod 51 by a pin 54 inserted in a hole drilled through the upper end of rod 51. The upper end of the sleeve 49 is sealed by a anged plug 55, the end of which is pivotally connected to a driving arm 56 in an adjusting slot 57. Arm 56 is firmly connected to oscillate a shaft 58 which extends transversely beneath track 15 to a supporting bracket 59 (FIG. 6).

An L-shaped lifter arm 60 (FIG. l1) is pinned to shaft 5S and oscil-lates therewith .between the two positions shown in FIG. 4. The suspended end'of arm 6) supports a lifter link 61 by a pin 62 and the lifter link 61 in turn supports a breaker lifter 63 by means of a further pin 64 through the forked end of the lifter 63 (FIG. 1l). The breaker lifter 63 is directed upwardly by a guide 65 in the form of opposing channel type tracks which are fastened to the bobbin feeding means 17 `by bolts 66, 67 (FIGS. 5, 5A, and 6).

To explain the operation of the lifter mechanism 39, refer to FIG. 4, where a signal for a bobbin transfer will cause the lever 41 to swing to the right as shown by the arrow. This action will pivot arms d() and 43 in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 6) and thus swing the driving lever 46 and associated parts to the dotted line positions shown in FIG. 4. Shaft 58 will pivot arm 6i) and lift the breaker lifter 63 together with the bridge breaker slide 3l). In FIG. 1 the hopper 16 is shown in the unloading position and the lifter 63 is in line with groove 32.

During the unloading period the bobbins in each hopper may assume either of two possible positions as they eject through the lower opening 22. If they remain solidly pressed against the front wall 2li and the floor 21, the breaker fingers 36 will be held vertical by the bobbins in a non-functional position. However, if the lower layers of bobbins after being ejected, leave the others arched or bridged over the opening, one or more of the breaker lingers 36 will drop toward the horizontal inward position and as the slide 30 is pushed upward the bobbins will be loosened and the bridge will be broken.

Stop means for bobbin hopper In operation, one or more hoppers iilled with bobbins may be placed on the upper end of track (FIG. 1) and by the normal loom vibration will move slowly toward the discharge point above the feeding means 17. To stop the hopper in the proper position and to release it when required, a stop means is needed. United States Patent No. 2,921,610 discloses such a mechanism and for the purpose of the instant invention it will be only briefly explained.

Now referring to FIGS. 1 and 6, the stop means comprising a latch element 68, preferably metallic, is pivoted at 69 to a hopper trip member 7l) fastened to the track 15 by means of bolts 71. A second latch element shown at 63 (FIGS. 6 and 6A) mounted upon the opposing track is identical in structure to said first latch element except that it is reversely directed and therefore only the latch element 63 will be described. The trip member 7l) comprises a horizontally inclined cam portion 72 having a recessed portion 73 therein. The cam portion is in alignment with the track so that it may be engaged by the transverse rod 25 which retains bobbins in the hopper. Upon being engaged by the cam portion, the transverse rod will move to the upper end of slot 26 and allow bobbins to be ejected.

The latch element 68 has at one end two inturned portions 74 and 75 (FIG. 6) forming horizontally separated abutments which are engaged by the transverse rod 25 and affect the stopping and releasing of the hopper as will be described. The recessed portion 73 is positioned on the cam in such a manner that it may receive the abutment 74 when the latch element is pivoted in that direction.

Two substantially vertical link elements 76 and 77 are pivotally mounted to the opposite end of the latch element 68 by means of a pin 73 and are adjustable lengthwise by use of a slot 79. The lower end of link 77 is mounted by a pin Sti to the short end of a counterweight 8i which pivots a shaft 82. Shaft 82 extends beneath tracks 15 transversely to pivot latch element 68 to cooperate with latch 68.

To review the stop and release means refer to FIG. 1 and it will be seen that by raising counterweight 81 (by means to be later described) link elements 76 and 77 will be drawn downward and cause the latch element 68 to pivot and raise the abutment 74 above the face of cam 72. Simultaneously Weight 81 will rotate shaft 82 and actuate similar parts on the opposite side. At this point the abutment 74 is in the rst stop position and as the transverse rod 25 is pressed upward in the slot 26 by the cam 72, bobbins will be released and the hopper will be stopped with the rod 25 against the abutment 74. The second stop position occurs when the counterweight 31 is allowed to drop which raises the links 76 and 77 and pivots the latch 63 so that the abutment 74 will drop into the recess 73 (FIG. 1). This movement places the second abutment in the path of the transverse rod 25 and will hold the hopper until a release signal is given. rIhe effect of the release signal is to return the abutment '74 to the rst stop position and in so doing the second abutment 7S will rise and release the transverse rod allowing the hopper to travel downward along the track. The counting means for releasing the hopper will now be further explained.

Stop release mechanism The bobbin feeding means as used with this invention and as disclosed in the above mentioned United States patents is adapted to contain a plurality of lled bobbins and to be continuously replenished from the above by bobbin containers. If for any reason the supply to the feeding means is cut off, it is desirable to bring a replacing container into position automatically before the feeding means is completely exhausted. The bridge breaker slide 29 is allowed three opportunities to loosen the bridge and, if unsuccessful, the hopper is replaced.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, a substantially horizontal link element 83 is pivotally fastened to lever 46 in an adjusting slot 34 centrally positioned thereon. The other end of link 83 is loosely attached by a pin S5 to the vertical arm of a bell crank lever de which pivots on a screw 87, a bearing 871, and a washer 372 (FIG. 10) when drawn to the right by lever 46 as shown in FIG. l. Screw 87 is fastened to the face of a counter casing member S3 which is fastened beneath the opening to the feeding means 7 by bolts at bolt holes 89 and 96. Casing member 38 may be fabricated from laminated dat' metal stock or by machining (FIG. l0).

Thehorizontal arm of the bell crank lever 36 is pivotally connected at its outer end by a pin 91 (FIGS. 8 and 10) to the lower end of a counter feed pawl member comprising a counter balance 92, a spacer 93, and a feed pawl 94 which may be secured together as with rivets 95. The feed pawl member is adapted to pivot upon pin 9i with the counter balance 92 parallel to and in front of casing member 8S. The feed pawl 94 is positioned within the casing member in an opening 96.

A rack member 97, adapted to be raised and lowered in a vertical guide slot in casing member 8S, has seven teeth 93 directed toward the feed pawl 94. The rack 97 extends vertically completely through the casing 38 and is prevented from dropping out by a roll pin inserted through a hole near the top end of the rack (FIGS. 8, 9, and l0). The pivotal motion of the lever 46, as previously explained, will also pivot the bell crank lever S6 and the feed pawl 9d will rise. The counter balance 92 is weighted in the direction of the rack teeth 93 so that, unless drawn to one side, the feed pawl 94 will raise the rack 97 one tooth with each upward motion. The feed pawl 94 will then return to the original lowered position (FIG. 9).

To hold the rack 97 in position as it is raised one tooth at a time, a stop pawl liti) is disposed in an internal horizontal guide slot within the casing 33 and by a compression spring itil is urged toward the rack teeth 93 (FIGS. 9 and 12). The rack 97 is positioned below counterweight Sl and upon being raised will strike a Contact surface 102. (See FIG. 1.) By raising the rack 97 four teeth, the counterweight 81 will be raised to the horizontal position to release the bobbin hopper 16 in the manner described above under the heading top means for bobbin hopper.

Counter reset means To reset the counting means in the event that the bridge breaker fingers 36 successfully release bridged bobbins to the feeding means 17 prior to the fourth attempt, a counter reset means has been devised. Referring to FIGS.

. 'y A p 6, 8 and 9, a bobbin indicator M93 of angularly bent fiat metaly stock is pivotally mounted upon the feeding means 17 back wall by a shaft 1M and overbalanced by a downwardly extending arm 1%. T he weight of the arm 1% exceeds that of the indicator lifi so that the indicator 103 will pivot inwardly of the feeding means in the absence of bobbins at that point. With bobbins filling the feeding means, the indicator lil?) is held vertical, thus raising the arm 1% toward a horizontal position. A rigid wire extension 1% is inserted perpendicularly into the lower end of arm 105 and will swing in an arc when the arm 105 is raised or lowered. The other end of the extension is bent to form a downward loop to support one end of a link member 107 in Va lengthwise slot 108. Link member 197 should be of light weight material such as Formica and has a hole at the other end to loosely fit over a roll pin 199 which extends outwardly from the stop pawl Mtl. This completes the linkage between the bobbin indicator 103 and the stop release mechanism. The roll pin lili? extends outwardly and contacts the vertical arm of the counter balance 92 when the link member 107 is drawn to the right (FIG. 8) by the action of bobbins pressing the indicator 103 to its vertical position. With both pawls held out of contact with the rack 97, the pivoting motion of the bell crank S6 is ineffectual in moving the stop release counter mechanism.

Briefly, to review the operation, a hopper filled with wound bobbins would be placed upon the high end of the track at the rear of the loom and would slide slowly to abut the hopper presently emptying. It is intended that a full hopper would be available behind the feeding hopper at all times in order to continue automatically the repetitive cycle. As the empty hopper is released from the unloading position to slide forwardly and then rearwardly to a removal point, the replacement would slide to the unloading position thus forcing the transverse rod to ride upwardly on the opposing cams and stop against the first abutment. This would release bobbins to the feeding means directly below and in so doing would strike the bobbin indicator 1693.

The indicator, through linkage, would draw the stop and feed pawls away to allow the rack and counterweight 81 to drop to the lowest position. The latch element would pivot downwardly and place the second abutment into position to hold the hopper by contact with the transverse rod. The operation thus far may occur between bobbin transfers, or if the bobbins do not fall immediately, the action may follow the first transfer.

With each bobbin transfer the pivotal action of the extractor arm will activate both the bridge breaker lifter mechanism and the counter feed pawl in the stop release mechanism. The bridge breaker fingers are designed to pivot inward of the hopper it' a bridge of bobbins forms over the eject opening. However, if not needed, the fingers remain vertical and do not disturb the bobbins within the hopper. The counter feed pawl will rise in an inoperative position if bobbins are present at the indicator point, but if the supply drops below that point the pivotal motion of the indicator will release the feed and stop pawls to commence counting transfers. With each subsequent transfer, the feed pawl will raise the rack 97 one tooth and if bobbins are not released after three transfers, the fourth will raise the abutment 75 to index the hopper out of the ejecting position.

When bobbins are loosened within the hopper to replenish the feeding means after the counting signal has been given, the first bobbin to drop will pivot the indicator which will draw both pawls away and reset the counter rack.

When a hopper is empty, the effect on the counting and releasing mechanisms is the same as that for a bridgel of bobbins. After the indicator has signalled the absence of bobbins at that point, the counting device will release the hopper after four consecutive'transfers. The

loom feeding means would contain a sufficient quantity to continue to transfer bobbins on demand during this counting cycle and until a replacing hopper has moved into ejecting position.

While one embodiment of the invention has been disclose-d, it is to be understood that the inventive concept may be carriedV out in a number of ways. This invention is, therefore, not to be limited to the precise details described, butl is intended to embrace all variations and modifications thereof falling Vwithin the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims.

I claim:

l. In combination with a loom for weaving, a bobbin feeding means for aligning and presenting a supply of bobbins to a loom shuttle, means for automatically replenishing said feeding means with filled bobbins which comprises an inclined supporting track, a bobbin hopper sliclable downwardly along said track, a bobbin ejecting opening in the under surface of said hopper for passing bobbins singly when positioned Vover said feeding means, a releasable means for restraining bobbins in said hopper, a bridge breaking slide mechanism forming a part of said hopper, at least one bridge breaker finger pivotally mounted upon said slide mechanism for loosening bridges of bobbins that tend to form within said hopper, a forward wall of said hopper being adapted for partially enclosing said slide mechanism, said slide mechanism being vertically movable within said forward wall, said finger being movable from a non-functional position in said forward wall to a functional position within said hopper, and an intermittently reciprocatory lifter means to actuate said slide mechanism.

2. In combination wit-h a loom for weaving, a bobbin feeding means for aligning and presenting a supply of bobbins to a loom shuttle, means for automatically replenishing said feeding means with filled bobbins which comprises an inclined supporting track, a bobbin hopper slidable downwardly along said track, a bobbin ejecting opening in the under surface of said hopper for passing bobbins singly when positioned over said feeding means, a releasable means for restraining bobbins in said hopper, a bridge breaking slide mechanism forming a part of said hopper, at least one bridge breaker finger pivotally mounted upon said slide mechanism for loosening bridges of bobbins that tend to form within said hopper; said linger being adapted to assume a rst vertical non-functional position and a second generally horizontal functional position extending inside said hopper, said functional position being assumed if a bridge of bobbins develops inside said hopper, said functional position being assumed otherwise only upon said hopper becoming empty, a forward wall of said hopper partially enclosing said slide mechanism, said slide mechanism being vertically movable within said forward wall, and an intermittently reciprocatory lifter means for actuating said slide mechanism.

3. A lling bobbin hopper for automatic looms comprising side wall members interconnected by a front wall member and a back wall member, an under surface member forming a floor in said hopper, said under surface member being spaced apart from said front Wall member to define an ejecting opening through which single bobbins may pass, a releasable means for restraining bobbins in said hopper whichincludes a slot in each of said side wall members and a transverse rod extending by its ends from and movable in said slots, and a bridge breaking slide mechanism being partially enclosed4 by said front wall member and adapted to be vertically movable therein, at least one bridge breaker finger pivotally mounted upon said slide mechanism for loosening bridges of bobbins tending to form within said hopper, said nger being movable from a non-functional position in said front wall to a functional position within said hopper.

4. A filling bobbin hopper for automatic looms comprising side wall members interconnected by a front wall member and a back wall member, an under surface member forming a floor in said hopper, said under surface member being spaced apart from said front Wall member to define an ejecting opening through which single bobbins may pass, a releasable means for restraining bobbins in said hopper which includes a `slot in each of said side wall members and a transverse rod extending by its ends from and movable in said slots, and a bridge breaking slide mechanism being partially enclosed by said front Wall member and adapted to be vertically movable therein, at least one bridge breaker finger pivotally mounted upon said slide mechanism for loosening bridges of bobbins tending to form within said hopper, said finger being adapted t-o assume a first vertical non-functional position within said front end member, and a second generally horizontal functional position extending inside said hopper, said functional position being `assumed if a bridge of bobbins develops inside said hopper, said functional position being assumed otherwise only upon said hopper becoming empty.

5. In combination with a loom for weaving, a bobbin feeding means for aligning and presenting a supply of bobbins to a loom shuttle, means for automatically replenishing said feeding means with filled bobbins which comprises an inclined supporting track, a bobbin hopper slidable downwardly along said track, stop means for holding said hopper in unloading position over said feeding means, a bobbin indicator pivotally positioned at the entrance of said feeding means for signalling the presence and absence of filled bobbins within the range of said indicator, a stop release mechanism for counting at least one bobbin transfer in the loom after receiving a signal of the absence of bobbins at the position of said indicator and for releasing said hopper from the unloading position to a lower position on said track, and a reset means to inactivate said stop release mechanism after receiving a signal of the presence of bobbins within the range of said indicator prior to release of said hopper.

6. In combination with a loom for weaving, a bobbin feeding means for aligning and presenting a supply of bobbins to a loom shuttle, means for automatically replenishing said feeding means with filled bobbins which comprises an inclined supporting track, a bobbin hopper slidable downwardly along said track, stop means at said track for holding said hopper in unloading position over said feeding means comprising, a pivoted latch element having two horizontally separated hopper abutments, a bobbin indicator pivotally positioned at the entrance of said feeding means for signalling the presence and absence of filled bobbins within the range of said indicator, a stop release mechanism for effecting the release of said hopper from the unloading position after three unsuccessful attempts to replenish said feeding means, and a reset means to inactivate said stop release upon receiving a si gnal from said indicator of bobbins having been ejected into said feeding means.

7. In combination with a loom for weaving, a bobbin feeding means for aligning and presenting a supply of bobbins to a loom shuttle, means for automatically replenishing said feeding means with filled bobbins which comprises an inclined supporting track, a bobbin hopper slidable downwardly along said track, a bobbin ejecting opening in the under surface of said hopper for passing bobbins singly when positioned over said feeding means, a bridge breaking slide mechanism forming a part of said hopper for loosening bridges of bobbins that tend to form within said hopper, an intermittently reciprocatory lifter means to actuate said slide mechanism, stop means for holding said hopper in unloading position over said feeding means, a bobbin indicator pivotally positioned at the entrance of said feeding means for signalling the presence and absence of filled bobbins within the range of said indicator, and a stop release mechanism for counting at least one bobbin transfer in the loom after receiving a signal of the absence of bobbins at the position of said l() indicator and for releasing said hopper from the unloading position to a lower position on said track.

8. In combination with a loom for weaving, a bobbin feeding means for aligning and presenting a supply of bobbins to a loom shuttle, means for automatically replenishing said feeding means with filled bobbins which comprises an inclined supporting track, a bobbin hopper slidable downwardly along said track, a bobbin ejecting opening in the under surface of said hopper for passing bobbins singly when positioned over said feeding means, a releasable means for restraining bobbins in said hopper, a bridge breaking slide mechanism forming a part of said hopper, at least one bridge breaker finger pivotally mounted upon said slide mechanism for loosening bridges of bobbins that tend to form within said hopper, a forward wall of said hopper partially enclosing said slide mechanism, said slide mechanism being vertically movable within said forward wall, an intermittently reciprocatory lifter means for actuating said slide mechanism, stop means at said track for holding said hopper in unloading position over said feeding means comprising a pivoted latch element having two horizintally separated hopper abutments, a bobbin indicator pivotally positioned at the entrance of said feeding means for signalling the presence and absence of filled bobbins within the range of said indicator, a stop release mechanism for effecting the release of said hopper from the unloading position after three unsuccessful attempts to replenish said feeding means, and a reset means to inactivate said stop release upon receiving a signal from said indicator of bobbins having been ejected into said feeding means.

9. Mechanism as defined in claim 8 wherein said bridge break-er finger is adapted to assume a first vertical nonfunetional position and a second generally horizontal functional position extending inside said hopper, said functional position being assumed if a bridge of bobbins develops in said hopper, said functional position being assumed otherwise only upon said hopper becoming empty.

10. Mechanism is defined in claim 9 wherein said stop release mechanism may take an operating position and a non-operating position controllably determined through linkage fastened to said bobbin indicator.

-11. A bobbin hopper release means for effecting the release of an empty hopper or a hopper in which the bobbins .have become bridged and allowing said hopper to be replaced by one that has been filled which comprises an extractor arm being adapted to pivot uponl signal for a bobbin transfer, a linkage member connected to said extractor arm, a bell crank lever formed with a vertical arm and a horizontal arm, said lever being adapted for pivotal motion, a counterbalanced feed pawl member vertically movable by said hirizontal arm, a vertically movable saw-toothed rack member, a casing member, internal guide slots within said casing member, said feed pawl member and said rack member being movable within one of said guide slots, a spring biased stop pawl in another of said guide slots, said feed pawl and said stop pawl being adapted to contact the teeth of said rack member, a counterweight pivotally mounted above said rack member, said counterweight comprising la short end and a weighted end, said rack member being adapted to contact and raise said weighted end when being raised by said feed pawl, means for stopping a hopper to be emptied which includes latch means pivotal to two positions and having two horizontally separated abutments, adjustable linkage means to connect said counterweight short end to said latch means, means including a transverse rod for retaining bobbins in said hopper, a horizontally inclined fixed cam element adapted to be engaged by said rod, said cam element having a recess therein to contain one -said abutment upon. said latch means being pivoted to its second holding position, said transverse rod being stopped separately by each said References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Flett 139-245 Meyer et a1. 221-201 X Banks 139-245 Banks et a1 139-245 4/60 Deucher 139--245 10/60 Baumann 139-245 3/63 Ingham 221-201 X 3/64 Thatcher 139--245 FOREIGN PATENTS 5/55' France.

7/58 Great Britain.

DONALD W. PARKER, Primary Examiner. 

1. IN COMBINATION WITH A LOOM FOR WEAVING, A BOBBING FEEDING MEANS FOR ALIGNING AND PRESENTING A SUPPLY OFF BOBBINS TO A LOOM SHUTTLE, MEANS FOR AUTOMATICALLY REPLENISHING SAID FEEDING MEANS WITH FILLED BOBBINS WHICH COMPRISES AN INCLINED SUPPORTING TRACK, A BOBBIN HOPPER SLIDABLE DOWNWARDLY ALONG SAID TRACK, A BOBBIN EJECTING OPENING IN THE UNDER SURFACE OF SAID HOPPER FOR PASSING BOBBINS SINGLY WHEN POSITIONED OVER SAID FEEDING MEANS, A RELEASABLE MEANS FOR RESTRAINING BOBBINS IN SAID HOPPER, A BRIDGE BREAKING SLIDE MECHANISM FORMING A PART OF SAID HOPPER, AT LEAST ONE BRIDGE BREAKER FINGER PIVOTALLY MOUNTED UPON SAID SLIDE MECHANISM FOR LOOSENNING BRIDGES OF BOBBINS THAT TEND TO FORM WITHIN SAID HOPPER, A FORWARD 